Tum Teav: A Translation and Analysis of a Cambodian Literary Classic

by George Chigas

Tum Teav is the tragic love story of a talented novice monk named Tum and a beautiful adolescent girl named Teav. Well-known throughout Cambodia since at least the middle of the 19th century, there are numerous versions of the story in every major culture. This monograph contains a translation by George Chigas of the Venerable Botumthera Som's version of the poem. Chigas also examines the controversy over the poem's authorship and its interpretation by literary scholars and performers in terms of Buddhism and traditional codes of conduct, abuse of power, and notions of justice.

Genres: Romance, Classics

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about Cambodian culture, as I worked with a lot of Cambodians (and while I'm no longer working with them, I am dating a Cambodian man). According to my boyfriend, anyone in Cambodia is familiar with this story, so I figured it was a good start.

Obviously, this is a translation as I am unable to read Khmer. I think this story suffered from the translation. While the original is written in verse, the translations lacks that, and feels ... off, in some points. It doesn't always read smoothly and I feel like some sentences don't make sense.
I don't know if these are translations issues, or issues with the original text.

The analysis was more of a summery of other people's analyses. Those analyses where from Cambodian scholars, so they did give insight in Cambodian culture, so that was interesting.

[Revanth Ukkalam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful beautiful love story. A princess falling for a young monk on hearing word of his beautiful voice as he chants the Buddha's name! Find something more adorable and more touching. And how well he dreams Teav. And then something like an Agni Pariksha - male ego, much? And Pech - there, there is an iconic friend. I noted to myself "Rahul Ramakrishna in Arjun Reddy" about their Tum's undying bond with him. And an ex-monk stealing the virginity of a princess who is supposed to marry a burly local chieftain. Every episode of this epic is worth a film for itself. A mural to say the least. Each mural memorable of the moonlight. Of the Mekong. Of the thick and feared Khmer forest. Of the chant of Theravada monks. And deep and bright red flowers!

I am not crying, you are!

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um poema lindo, traduzido do idioma Khmer para o inglês, que nos fala de um amor impossível entre um monge budista e uma jovem. Fiquei muito tocada com o final dos jovens amantes. Uma boa narrativa que nos mostra parte da cultura do Camboja no que refere à educação em um mosteiro, às dificuldades em se deixar o manto de monge, a obediência servil que se esperava dos jovens, fossem homens ou mulheres, e as consequências da rebeldia. Imagino que hoje seja muito diferente, mas foi uma excelente leitura.

[Mattox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting story and history. Some small issues with translation and analysis.

[Sokchea]

The purpose of my reading is to broaden my knowledge and get more information